CROSS COUNTRY

Cross Country Laces 'Em Up to Help Out at Local "Run the Valley" Event as Volunteers

September 19, 2011

Story By: Kaitlyn Mullis, Junior, Women's XC

BADIN, N.C. - Unseasonably cold and dreary weather did not stop the 13th annual Run the Valley 5k/10k/half-marathon from running its course on Saturday, September 17th, and it sure didn’t stop Pfeiffer’s cross country teams from volunteering at it. The men’s and women’s teams, normally accustomed to being the racers, were positioned at various turn-around points and water stations on the course, handing out hundreds of cups to the participants as they ran by.

“I feel it’s very important to get out and serve the community because as college athletes we are role models,” Will Oliver, a junior runner for the men’s team, said. “It’s always nice to get out and help.”

Run the Valley is a part of the Best of Badin Festival, which is held annually during the third weekend in September. The Town of Badin welcomes the coming autumn with a celebration that both showcases the town’s origins and attracts visitors with games, food, and music.

The race is held by Vac & Dash, the popular running specialty store located in downtown Albemarle. Run the Valley is just one of many annual races the store has developed and sponsored throughout the years.

“It is great to see how much the popularity of running and racing has increased locally,” head coach Scott Nolt said. “I always enjoy the atmosphere of a road race and the fact that our athletes can support the sport and local runners in Stanly County.”